Orlando City
TML Staff Roundtable: 2020 Orlando City Postseason Thoughts

The 2020 season is all but over, with only MLS Cup to come. Orlando City got a lot closer to this weekend’s game than anyone expected at the start of the year, but came up a bit short.
With the season now in the rearview mirror, I reached out to the full staff of The Mane Land to find out what we’re all thinking ahead of the Lions’ sixth season in MLS. Not everyone responded but those who did are represented below in full. Since I usually cherry pick the best answers, this will be longer than the usual roundtable piece.
At the beginning of the season our staff was split between those who thought Orlando City would barely make the playoffs and those who thought the team would finish just below the playoff places. How surprised were you at how quickly Oscar Pareja was able to get complete buy-in from a team that brought a lot of pieces back?
David Rohe: As one of those who thought the Lions would just make it in over the playoff line, I was definitely surprised how far above the line the club was. I don’t believe anyone thought Pareja would be able to turn things around as quickly as he did, for exactly the reasons posed in the question. To bring as many players back and to then have such a night and day difference in not only results, but also in the positive attitude that this club has was nothing short of astonishing. To then deal with COVID-19, the loss of Dom Dwyer to injury, numerous other injuries, and PRO referees, is a testament to the job that Pareja did this season.
Sean Rollins: I was very surprised at the team’s improvement, though they had help. The fact that the MLS is Back Tournament was near home was helpful and they got to play home games in front of fans. Next year will be the true test to see if the team is in the right path.
Christopher Adams: Last season was rough, but I had a feeling that this team was better than its record indicated. Several players looked good, including Robin Jansson, Ruan, and Nani, and there were moments that led me to believe this team could be much better in 2020. So I’m not surprised that this team was a playoff contender, I am a little surprised just how much things changed with Pareja. There’s a whole different culture, a different feel to Orlando than ever before, and on the field they played their best soccer ever at points. When they were healthy and in a rhythm, especially during the MLS Is Back Tournament, this team wasn’t just successful but they looked every part an elite, championship-caliber team. I knew this team could compete, but I didn’t know they could compete at this level.
Ben Miller: I wasn’t necessarily surprised with the speed with which Pareja got everyone to buy in, but I definitely was surprised at just how good the team was once everyone was bought in and the team was playing at full strength. I credit a lot of that to Pareja’s system and the players’ belief in it. I thought the team would be improved but not to the extent that it was, and that’s what surprised me the most.
Daniel Finton: It was incredible to see just how quickly Pareja was able to transform the side, I was extremely surprised. After the first two matches resulted in a 0-0 stalemate to Real Salt Lake at home and a 2-1 loss to the Colorado Rapids away, it seemed like more of the same hardships were set to persist. However, the Lions have obviously been galvanized by his appointment and Pareja looks an absolute coup.
Guilherme Torres: Pareja did a great job this year. His contribution to the success of the team was arguably greater than any player on the roster. The most important thing the coach did was establishing a clear way for the team to play, which was always there regardless of the lineup. He also succeeded in getting more from players who had underperformed the years before. Hats off too to Orlando City’s front office and scouting department, which were extremely precise in identifying and bringing in the right players in 2020.
Joshua Taylor: I was very surprised how Oscar Pareja was able to get his team to buy in to believing that they can win no matter what. Despite their playoff run coming to an end, Pareja still accomplished a lot in his first year with the Lions. Changing the mentality of this team to play better, no matter the obstacle, was impressive to me. This team came close to winning the MLS is Back Tournament, had a shot at the Supporters’ Shield, and nearly finished with the most points in club history. I thought before the season the team would barely make the playoffs but this team clearly redefined expectations after its run in the MLS is Back Tournament. In what was a historic season for the Lions, you’d have to say Pareja got the best out of his team this year after making its first playoff appearance and now the Lions have hope and a bright future ahead of the 2021 season.
Marcus Mitchell: The time off between the team’s first two matches of the season and the MLS is Back Tournament definitely helped Pareja instill the kind of mentality he wanted the players to have, as well as get the players up to the fitness level needed to run his style of play. Still, the Lions became a cohesive unit much more quickly than I expected and Pareja deserves plenty of praise for managing that in the midst of a pandemic. There weren’t too many new Lions on the roster, yet they looked like a new and exciting team under Pareja.
My Take: The staff covered this pretty well. Papi not only got the team to buy in to what he wanted them to do, but he did it more quickly than I thought possible. This team had a bond you don’t often see. They genuinely loved and supported one another like brothers and they held themselves as accountable as their teammates, so even if fans were freaking out if a starter wasn’t available, the players simply expected the same level of quality — and usually got it. Great job by Pareja.
Who was the team’s most valuable player in 2020 and why?
Dave: As much as I want to give this accolade to Mauricio Pereyra, I have to give the nod to Nani. I know that there are those still upset with his PK misses, and how he sometimes seems to ask for calls that just aren’t coming, but he was without a doubt the leader of this club. To a man, the rest of the players point to him as the example, and the inspiration for a lot of what happened this year. Despite his age and faults (we all deal with those), he often stepped up in the important moments and delivered. He also did a lot of instruction during matches, helping the players develop over the course of the season. It may well be I’ll have a different answer next season, but the captain wins it this year.
Sean: Despite being sent off against New England, my MVP was Pereyra. He came in midsession last year but showed his quality this season and how he can affect the team. He draws attention in the final third and sets up opportunities for Mueller and Daryl Dike.
Topher: It’s easy to say Nani given how talented he is and how important he is from a leadership perspective, but I’m actually going with Pereyra. My biggest gripe with this team for years has been the inability to connect the defense to the offense. But with Pereyra, this team flows so much better. He’s had a Nico Lodeiro-esque influence on this team, picking up the ball deep and spurring counter-attacks while also being a calming presence in the final third. His vision is impeccable and his class with the ball is elite. Not since Kaká has this team had a legitimate number 10 and it has completely changed this team.
Ben: Pereyra. He brings so much creativity to the table on the offensive side of the ball, and Orlando is a completely different team when he isn’t on the field. It wasn’t a coincidence that the Lions struggled to score in the stretch of games that he was unavailable, and he was perhaps the worst person who could have been sent off in the Eastern Conference semifinals as it totally blunted the team’s attack (in addition to obviously going down a man). My second choice here would be Pedro Gallese, but Pereyra makes such a difference in the attack that I have to go with him. His ability to pick a pass like his game-winning assist to Dike against Montreal is something that no other player on the team is capable of doing, and that’s hugely important.
Daniel: I would have to say Nani. The captain led from the front and helped bring the side to new heights. Additionally, he instilled an air of confidence with his presence into the side — one that I’ve not yet seen in the team before.
Guilherme: It has to be Mueller. Nani and Pereyra had great seasons too, but Cash had fantastic production with 10 goals and seven assists and his energy level helped him fulfill defensive duties the veterans weren’t required to.
Joshua: Mueller really improved this season in his third year with the club. After fluctuating between starter and super sub the first two seasons, he earned Pareja’s trust and finished the year leading the team with 10 goals. He only had eight goals in his first two seasons, so having a breakout year in 2020 and getting a call-up to the U.S. Men’s National Team is worthy of being the team MVP this season.
Marcus Mitchell: It’s weird not having a clear and obvious choice for this like past seasons. The team was well rounded from top to bottom and plenty of players stepped up when others were injured or playing internationally. That being said, I have to go with Nani. As proven in the MLS is Back Tournament, he has the ability to completely change the course of a game and make magic happen. Chris Mueller has made great strides, I’m just not sure if the team relies on him as much as it does on Nani.
My Take: I don’t think one needs to look any further than Orlando City’s record when Pereyra started to see who the team’s MVP was. The Uruguayan is vital to possession and turning nothing into a suddenly dangerous opportunity. Games without him were much more of a slog offensively.
Who was the team’s newcomer of the year?
Dave: This has to be Daryl Dike. He was utterly robbed of the now defunct Rookie of the Year award when MLS changed it to Young Player of the Year to make sure Dike didn’t win it (he still came in Top 3). The goals, the hold-up play, the improvement he showed from start to finish, and the excellent celebrations made this one surprisingly easy for me in a year with a lot of great performances.
Sean: I would have to have two players share Newcomer of the Year. Gallese was fantastic in goal this season. They wouldn’t have been the four seed in the East or advanced past New York City FC without him. Antonio Carlos is my other Newcomer of the Year. Orlando City has had trouble finding the right center back pairing but Carlos was fantastic alongside Jansson. Together, they turned a weakness into a strength.
Topher: Credit to Dike, who deserves a shout for this, but it has to be Carlos. The big Brazilian has improved this defense and has been a stable presence in the back. When Orlando gets expansive and pushes the fullbacks high and gets bodies forward, Carlos has been instrumental in stopping opposition counter attacks. In settled situations, his size and strength have been helpful in defending aerial balls into the box. Perhaps equally valuable is his ability on the ball. His passing and deceptive skill played an important role in Orlando being able to play out from the back and holding onto possession. He’s been one of the best center backs in all of MLS and I’m so excited to see him grow with this core in the foreseeable future.
Ben: There are several good choices here, and while I’m tempted to say Junior Urso or Gallese, I’m going to go with Dike. While he was the fifth overall pick in the MLS SuperDraft, I don’t think anyone expected him to have the kind of year he did. After Dwyer was lost for the season due to surgery it was anyone’s guess as to where goals and consistent striker play would come from, but Dike answered that question emphatically. With Gallese being Peru’s starting keeper I sort of expected him to have a great year, but Dike’s performance caught me off guard which is why I have to go with him.
Daniel: It has to be Dike. The big man has been tremendous since abruptly bursting onto the scene.
Guilherme: Gallese. Orlando City got it right with a lot of the signings the team made this year, but nothing beats the Peruvian. Gallese is a starter for the Peruvian national team and brought a great amount of international experience to the team, besides solving what seemed to be a never-ending problem for the Lions between the sticks.
Joshua: Urso made a big improvement to the midfield since he transferred from Corinthians back in January. He was able to bring leadership to a young squad, solidifying the midfield with Pereyra, and bringing that energy and passion on the field. Urso scored a few clutch goals for the Lions this year and helping the team beat rival Atlanta United has to make this season feel much better.
Marcus: While Gallese was impressive, I’m going with Carlos. He started 18 games in the regular season and formed a strong bond with Jansson to anchor the defense. Carlos was a force in the air and displayed skill when it came to timing tackles in dangerous areas. He had a goal and an assist as well and gave a glimpse of what’s to come in the future.
My Take: There were lots of good choices here. I thought about this for a while and what it came down to for me was this: which of the new players’ absences scared me the most? It was Gallese. It felt less risky when El Pulpo was between the sticks than when any of the other new players were missing. Dike was a close second, followed by Carlos. I thought Schlegel was a great fill-in for either center back, so Carlos being out didn’t scare me as much.
Which player surprised you the most in 2020?
Dave: Kyle Smith does not get enough credit in my opinion. He was Pareja’s Swiss Army tool. Left back, right back, or midfield, it didn’t matter. Sometimes it was more than one position within a match! He gave as much effort as anyone on the pitch, and at times he had to replace either Ruan or Joao Moutinho. That is not an easy thing to do since he’s not as fast as either of them, and yet there wasn’t a giant drop-off with him there. He had several key defensive plays through the year and even got Man of the Match honors in Orlando City’s 3-1 win over the New York Red Bulls from The Mane Land, and both Michael and I on The Mane Land PawedCast.
Sean: I was most surprised this season by Dike. He was very good at Virginia but I didn’t think he’d be this good this early in his career. He knows how to use his big frame and does so very well. It usually takes time for players to learn that skill but he picked it up right away.
Topher: Smith has blown me away this season. He wasn’t an elite player by any stretch of the imagination, but he was way better than I ever expected. Last season, Smith was one of my least favorite players on the entire team. Everything about him screamed minor leaguer and I didn’t think he should’ve been playing at this level. However, he has completely changed my mind. This guy was an absolute team player, doing anything and everything asked of him, playing on both flanks, playing heavy minutes when Moutinho got injured, and he was a vital piece down the stretch. He’s still not a great MLS player, but he has 100% deserved a spot in this team. He’s more of a defensive option than Moutinho or Ruan, but his offensive ability has improved even if it’s still not that great. Every team in MLS needs a few players who are tough and versatile, and Smith is that guy for Orlando.
Ben: Andres Perea surprised me the most. Sure he had logged 14 appearances with Atletico Nacional before joining the Lions, but with Pereyra, Uri Rosell, Sebas Mendez, and Urso all ahead of him in midfield I didn’t see how he fit into the picture. Well, he logged 1,190 minutes across 23 regular season games, notched two assists, and played in both playoff games so he fit in pretty damn nicely. He usually displayed a large amount of poise on the ball and more often than not was a calming presence in the midfield. I didn’t see this coming at all, and I’m glad that he was brought in on a permanent basis.
Daniel: Definitely Pereyra. The way the Uruguayan established himself as a potent creative threat so quickly was incredible and surprised me greatly. It’s good news that the club signed the DP to a contract extension. Let’s hope he can continue this seasons success next time around.
Guilherme: Dike. Anyone saying they expected the rookie striker to bag eight goals in his first professional season and make Dwyer completely expendable would be lying. Dike’s physical and technical tools were there for anyone to see, but between having the tools and using them properly in a rookie season there’s a considerable difference. Perea was a close second. I didn’t expect to see him having such a prominent role with the team this season.
Joshua: Dike really surprised me this season. Even though we only saw him in limited action in the MLS is Back Tournament during the round of 16 match against the Montreal Impact in July, a month later he made two goal contributions for the Lions against Inter Miami CF, and days later against Nashville SC, he scored his first brace for the team. Dike became the first Orlando City rookie to score in each of his first two professional starts. I figured being his first year in the league it would take him time to develop but to end the year with eight goals, be a finalist for the MLS Young Player of the Year Award, and getting a call-up to the USMNT definitely shows how quickly Dike has developed in his first year with the Lions.
Marcus: It has to be Mueller, who broke through what I thought was his ceiling and kept going. He obviously benefits from great attacking players around him, but the team wasn’t too different from last season and he managed career highs in goals and assists during a shortened season. Center back Rodrigo Schlegel also deserves some recognition here, and not just for those heroics in goal. Schlegel did well in 10 regular season appearances and gave the Lions needed depth on defense when required.
My Take: I have to agree with Marcus about Mueller. I thought Cash was fairly close to his ceiling but he found a new gear in 2020. However, for me, an even bigger surprise was Perea. That felt like a depth signing to me and yet he played in every regular season and playoff game for Orlando City this season. Part of that was due to other players’ absences, but it was mainly due to his versatility. He played the 6, the 8, and even some attacking midfield. Now, if he can just figure out where the net is…
What is the position group that needs the most improvement heading into 2021?
Dave: The forwards are the position of need. Daryl Dike came on strong and I anticipate he will continue to grow — skill-wise, obviously, because if he gets any bigger physically, MLS defenders will be in a lot of trouble. I look for the front office to bring in a more veteran striker to replace Dwyer, in addition to integrating Matheus Aias and Alexader Alvarado. With Nani, Pereyra, Mueller, Ruan, and Moutinho all able to deliver balls into the box, the Lions need some strikers to put the ball into the net.
Sean: The position group needing the most work is up top. Most of Orlando City’s attack comes from the midfield. It was a tough year for Tesho Akindele and Dom Dwyer (due to injury), putting most of the responsibility on a rookie. The team needs better production up there so that Mueller and Nani can create out of the midfield.
Topher: I’ve written about how good this midfield is, but after the last few games of the season, I think they need a little more. Pereyra has been great when healthy and Urso is an excellent player, but outside of that I’m not completely convinced. Rosell had great moments when he was healthy, but after coming back he was no longer that guy. If this team is to have sustained success, they need that third midfield option to be consistently good. A lot of that could be solved if Perea and Mendez continue to develop into the stars they’re capable of becoming. Joey DeZart could be an option there, and it’s possible that Rosell gets back to his MLS is Back form. It’s also important to note that both Perea and Mendez could miss significant time next season due to international duty, with Olympic qualifying potentially affecting Perea, either for Colombia or the U.S., while Mendez will likely miss time for the Copa America. It’ll be important for the Lions to sure up their depth, either from within or in the transfer market, to make sure their trio is able to control the game all season.
Ben: Striker. Dike’s emergence was welcome, but there doesn’t seem to be a reliable goal-scoring threat at that position aside from him. Maybe Mueller has another 10-goal year and helps lighten the load, but that isn’t necessarily a guarantee. Benji Michel usually seems to have a goal in him, but like Mueller and Nani he seems to do a lot of his best work when deployed in wide areas. I like Akindele but his 10-goal season last year looks to have been the exception rather than the rule. The Lions probably need to bring in a striker who’s capable of getting seven to eight goals if they want to improve on this season.
Daniel: I would probably say up front. I personally believe the side could use a new striker, especially with Dwyer entering free agency. The midfield and defense are solid enough as of now, so I’d say the forward area could use some beefing up and improvement. It’s not fair to rely on such a young player like Dike week in and out and could actually negatively impact him in the long run.
Guilherme: I think Orlando enters this off-season in a good position — at least much better than the years before. The Lions don’t have a clear and obvious need, but could certainly use some depth in certain areas of the field. Bringing in a veteran, established striker to compete with Dike up top is a no-brainer, but outside of that, I’d say another winger and a defender, who could be either a center back or a left back due to Kamal Miller’s versatility.
Joshua: The forward position. One area of concern for the Lions this past season was shots on target where the team had 118 total shots on target for the season and averaged 4.1 per game which ranked 18th in MLS. There were times where Orlando dominated possession but was not able to apply the finishing blow in crucial matches. Nani, Mueller, and Dike carried the bulk of goals this year but the team may be one more striker away to put it over the top and bring the MLS Cup to Orlando.
Marcus: I’m not worried about the attack, especially once Matheus Aias fits in. The fullbacks have me a little concerned, but that hinges more on Moutinho’s health more than anything and Smith really proved his worth this year. If I had to pick a group, it would be the defensive midfielders. Urso had the second most minutes on the team and was great in his first year in Orlando, but the team looked understandably weaker when Mendez was in Ecuador and Rosell was nursing an injury. Rookie DeZart did well but some added depth or consistency on that part of the roster would be nice.
My Take: Surprisingly, I’m not going to say forward. I do think it would be a good idea to add either a veteran willing to take a reduced bench/spot start role or a DP type a la Carlos Vela, Diego Valeri, Josef Martinez, etc. I don’t agree with Marcus about the defensive midfield. I think the team is set in that area but it would be helpful if the pieces all stay healthy. That area was hit hard at times in 2020. I’m going with attacking midfield/wing. The Lions played guys like Robinho and Perea in those roles this year when having to rotate the squad and the drop in attacking quality was noticeable. A serviceable backup for Pereyra is especially important because he’s not getting any younger and he’s already dealt with some injury issues in his season and a half in Orlando.
Which players do you expect to see the most improvement from in 2021?
Dave: Aias and Alexander Alvarado are the easy choices, as they haven’t really had enough time to integrate into the club. I think we will continue to see improvement from Perea and Kamal Miller as well. Honestly, I think we’ll see improvement from nearly all the players in that the cohesion we saw this year will be even better in 2021.
Sean: The most improvement in 2021 will hopefully come from Dike. Dwyer is gone and Akindele doesn’t seem to be the answer. Dike is young and has the ability to improve. If his finishing is better next year, he could become an unstoppable force in the league.
Topher: I expect to see several young players to make big strides in 2021. Pareja has a track record from Dallas and even Colorado developing young talent, and I expect that to continue taking shape over the course of next season. Dike had a strong start to his career, but with another offseason and more experience, he’s going to get even better. Michel is another player who grew a lot in 2020, but he might take another big step forward. Who I’m really excited to see and think will make serious strides are the academy players. Jordan Bender, David Loera, and Michael Halliday are all relatively unknown commodities, but with an off-season spent training in the first team, and more experience as professionals, they could start to really break into the team and make serious contributions. Of that three, I’d expect Bender to really make some noise. He started against Nashville in the final game of the regular season, and showed promise. The odds of him starting regularly over Nani or Mueller are unlikely, but he’s got a real shot to become a valuable bench option who can give needed rest to an aging Nani or for Mueller if he’s on international duty.
Ben: I fully expect Dike to improve quite a lot on what we saw this year. He seemed to wear down a bit after earning the right to start consistently, and that’s understandable in his first year as a professional. He now has a better idea of what it takes to consistently succeed in MLS from a physical standpoint, and he’ll have a whole off-season to work on developing both his body and his skills. If he’s able to continue to improve in terms of his first touch, decision-making, and finishing ability, then I think he’ll have a great year in 2021 and I fully expect those things to happen. I also think Perea will be better and play a bigger part next year after having time to put some muscle on a frame that leans toward being a little slight. Both he and Dike are so young that I think they have a lot of room to grow, and I think they’ll do just that.
Daniel: Mueller. He just seems to get better and better every season. The 24-year-old deserved the national team call-up he received and it seems like the sky is the limit for him. Mueller has all of the physical attributes to be a top-class player in the future. He just has to work on his decision-making and end product, which may come with age.
Guilherme: I hope we some improvement from Dike. Orlando could certainly benefit from that. He can do a lot better from a technical standpoint and if he can add that to his athleticism, it would be huge. I believe Alvarado is a good bet too. He played in only 50 minutes this season and with a preseason under his belt, he should be in position to live up to the expectations the club has for him.
Joshua: Michel is a player I could see improving for next season. Like Mueller in his third season this year, I can see Michel having a breakout year next season and he could get double digit goals. Michel scored his penalty kick in round one in the 2020 MLS Cup playoffs, scored a game-winning goal against the Columbus Crew to clinch a home playoff game, and has already scored 12 goals in all competitions since joining the club in 2019.
Marcus: It’s a toss up between Akindele and Michel for me. Both seem to fit in well with how Pareja wants the team to play. More teams will have their eyes on Mueller and Dike next season, which may open the door for Akindele and Michel to find some openings. Although they are in different stages of their careers, both are fighting for minutes as forwards in a lucrative Orlando offense.
My Take: Perea is a guy I’d most expect to see get even better in 2021. At just 20 years old, I think he’s still got a ton of upside. Alvarado is a guy I find intriguing and his brief appearances at the end of the season left me wanting to see more. As for Dike, I am always cognizant of the sophomore slump and teams getting a better handle on how to defend him. If the big fella can avoid that and improve on his game, it will be huge for Orlando next season.
And there you have it. Our staff — most of it, anyway — sums up the 2020 season that was. It was a better one than we expected and yet it still somehow left us wanting more. As I always say, only one team’s fans get to be happy at the end of the year. And now there is at least some hope that Orlando’s fans could be those lucky ones in the near future.
Feel free to weigh in on these questions below in the comments section.
Lion Links
Lion Links: 4/1/25
Barbra Banda’s continued importance, Americans in midweek action, USWNT announces friendly, and more.

Good morning everyone! It was a great weekend for Orlando’s soccer teams as Orlando City and the Orlando Pride both won, meaning that we got treated to a six-point weekend (OCB was off). As always we have plenty to talk through this morning, so let’s get into today’s links.
Barbra Banda Keeps Rolling in 2025
After a wildly successful debut season with the Orlando Pride in 2024, Barbra Banda has showed no signs of slowing down this year. A brace in the season opener meant that she picked up right where she left off last year, and the team has continued to be successful too. The Pride have made it three wins from three to start the 2025 season, and while Banda hasn’t scored since the opener, her blend of pace, power, dribbling, passing, and movement have continuously helped open things up for her teammates, and she drew a penalty that led to the Pride’s game-winning goal Saturday. She isn’t the Pride’s only offensive weapon, but the team clicks into a different gear when she’s at her best.
Americans in Midweek Action
There are a number of Americans who will be playing in games during the working week, and there are some very important clashes on hand. Things get going later today when Antonee Robinson and Fulham visit Arsenal in Premier League play as the Cottagers are in hot pursuit of a coveted European place. Wednesday has Chris Richards, Matt Turner and Crystal Palace facing Southampton, while Tyler Adams and Bournemouth take on Manchester City. Also on Wednesday, Christian Pulisic, Yunus Musah, and AC Milan will face Inter Milan in a Coppa Italia semifinal. Things finish up on Friday as Aidan Morris and Middlesborough travel to Blackburn Rovers in the EFL Championship.
USWNT Announces Canada Match
The United States Women’s National Team has announced another friendly taking place this summer, as the team will face Canada on July 2 in Washington, D.C. The match will be the third that the USWNT will play during the window, following a pair of friendlies against Ireland in late June. The neighboring countries will meet at Audi Field with the match designated as the Allstate Continental Clasico, with this being the first time that the match will feature the USWNT. The U.S. faced Canada twice in 2024, with both matches ending in 2-2 draws and the USWNT emerging victorious in shootouts.
Concacaf Champions Cup Preview
The Concacaf Champions Cup returns this week, with the first legs of the four quarterfinal matches set to be played today and tomorrow. Things get started tonight with what should be an exciting match between Club America and Cruz Azul, with the crosstown rivals two of the winningest teams in the competition. Cruz Azul’s Angel Sepulveda leads the CCC’s golden boot race with four tallies. The late game sees the LA Galaxy taking on Tigres as the Galaxy will try to distract themselves from a difficult start to their MLS Cup title defense. Wednesday’s slate has the Vancouver Whitecaps taking on Pumas UNAM in Canada in what will be the second-ever meeting between the two teams. The late game will be an all-MLS affair as LAFC hosts Inter Miami in the first meeting between the two sides in CCC play.
Sporting Kansas City Fires Peter Vermes
The longest-tenured coach in Major League Soccer is out of work, as Sporting Kansas City announced the firing of Peter Vermes on Monday morning. It’s an end of an era in Kansas City, as Vermes was the head coach since 2009, back when the team was still called the Kansas City Wizards, and he had been named the club’s technical director three years earlier in 2006. He guided the team to an MLS Cup win in 2013; claimed U.S. Open Cup titles in 2012, 2015, and 2017; and helped the team be consistently competitive for a majority of his tenure. Despite all of that, SKC missed the playoffs in two of the last three seasons and was mired in the midst of a 13-game winless streak in all competitions that stretched back to Sept. 18 of last year. After being an assistant on Vermes’ staff, Kerry Zavagnin will take over as interim head coach.
Free Kicks
- Orlando City jumped eight places to no. 11 in ESPN.com’s MLS power rankings.
- Meanwhile the Orlando Pride continue to hold sway at no. 1 in ESPN.com’s NWSL power rankings.
- Germany great Thomas Muller has reportedly received offers from MLS teams.
- Tierna Davidson will not play in the USWNT’s upcoming games against Brazil due to a knee injury, with Gisele Thompson replacing her on the roster.
That’s all I have for this morning. Vamos Orlando!
Orlando City
Orlando City vs. LA Galaxy: Player Grades and Man of the Match
How did your favorite Lions perform in Orlando City’s 2-1 victory over the LA Galaxy?

Orlando City capped off its March slate of matches with a cross-country bout against the 2024 MLS Cup champions, the LA Galaxy. In what was the longest commute that the Lions will register in the 2025 season, Orlando looked out of sync for much of the match, especially when contrasted with the squad that stomped D.C. United at home last week. Miraculously for the fans that stayed up past their bedtimes back on the East Coast, the Lions shocked the reigning champions and stole all three points with a come-from-behind 2-1 victory over the final quarter hour of the match.
Let’s look at the Lions’ individual performances to see who made the grade and who can improve as the calendar turns to April.
Starters
GK, Pedro Gallese, 6.5 — Gallese returned for Orlando after missing time while representing Peru during World Cup qualifiers. For the most part, he did well against the pressure of an agressive attack from the Galaxy. In the end, he was credited with just one save, which was a massive righthanded block of a shot by Gabriel Pec that could have put the game away for the home side. It isn’t worth entertaining a discussion about Gallese “letting another one in,” as the goal that the Galaxy scored was off a point-blank redirection back against his momentum, and it should have at the bare minimum warranted a second look for a potential offside ruling. His distribution was mostly solid, and he had an 81.8% passing rate on his 11 attempts while completing three of his five long balls. He was booked in the waining moments of the match for time wasting — although it was Rodrigo Schlegel who kicked the ball away without being spotted, and Gallese was merely retrieving it.
D, Rafael Santos, 5.5 — Santos had a few bright moments throughout the match, with an emphasis on the word few. I did think that he was better at getting into the attack and sent several balls across the net that had the potential to be dangerous. On the defensive end, there were just too many mistakes for my liking, whether that be careless turnovers, poor positioning, or falling asleep on the back side of the play. He and Ivan Angulo were both at fault on LA’s goal, as neither picked up Miki Yamane’s run. Santos was also overpowered twice by Pec. The Brazilian touched the ball 48 times, provided two key passes, one successful cross (on five attempts), and a passing rate of 76.9%. Defensively, he provided two tackles and three clearances. Offensively, Santos recorded a shot that was not on target. The left back currently benefits from a lack of depth pushing him for his starting minutes but will need to improve if Orlando is to continue its winning ways. He was replaced by David Brekalo in the 66th minute.
D, Rodrigo Schlegel, 7 — Schlegel had a productive and technically sound evening for the Lions. Defensively, he contributed one interception, a team-high seven clearances, and two blocked shots. He passed at a 93.6% rate, while touching the ball a team-high 88 times, and completed five long balls (on eight attempts). He didn’t register an offensive statistic during the match, but he played well and I thought that he had solid positioning throughout the night when the Galaxy sent balls into the box.
D, Robin Jansson, 6 — Something just seems off right now with Jansson, as the output from the captain simply feels less than what we have come to expect. Nonetheless, Jansson went the full 90 and recorded 65 touches. He completed 94.8% of his passes which included a team-best seven accurate long balls on nine attempts. Defensively, he contributed one tackle, one interception, and three clearances. Christian Ramirez beat Jansson on the lone goal for the Galaxy.
D, Alex Freeman, 6.5 — Freeman continues to put in the work for Orlando City. While his first West Coast trip was not fruitful in terms of goal-scoring contributions, the young Lion still managed to affect the game in a myriad of ways. He recorded 69 touches and completed 93.3% of his passes, which included two key passes and one accurate cross. Defensively, he added a team-high four tackles and two clearances. Offensively, Freeman tied Martin Ojeda for the most shots taken on the night (three) but was only able to put one on target. Freeman continues to showcase a solid motor that is helping to drive the offense, and he has shown strong chemistry with Marco Pasalic as well, but the most impressive aspect of his game against the Galaxy for me was the job he did in space defensively against Joseph Paintsil when the speedster entered the match in the second half.
MF, Cesar Araujo, 6.5 — This felt like a classic Araujo performance and the Uruguayan was seemingly everywhere on the pitch. He logged 63 touches and completed 90% of his passes but was only successful on one of his five long-ball attempts. Defensively, he contirbuted two tackles, one interception, and two clearances. Offensively, Araujo did not record a stat but did suffer a team-high three fouls. Araujo was able to defend without being booked against the Galaxy, and he has shown signficant improvement this season so far in not picking up careless yellow cards.
MF, Eduard Atuesta, 7.5 (MotM) — The former member of LAFC became the catalyst for the late offensive turnaround against what used to be his crosstown rival by earning a penalty in the 77th minute. He recorded 75 touches and completed 89.8% of his passes, which inlcuded two key passes, four accurate long balls on five attempts, and two succesful crosses on two attempts. Offensively, he attempted two shots, one which nearly put Orlando City in the lead when it hit the right post. Defensively, he contributed one tackle and two clearances. Atuesta benefitted from the insertion of Brekalo and Duncan McGuire, pushing forward into the attack, and without his effort, Orlando City likely would not have earned all three points. He was replaced by Joran Gerbet in stoppage time as part of a time-wasting, like-for-like substitution to see out the match.
MF, Ivan Angulo, 5.5 — To put it bluntly, Angulo is not in great form right now. The speedy Colombian is failing to challenge opposing back lines in the attack and has become a liability on the defensive side of the ball. The pairing of Angulo with Santos on the left has become a favorite area for the opposition to attack, and he was partly culpable in letting Yamane sneak in toward the back post on LA’s goal. He recorded 37 touches and completed 90.5% of his passes, which included one key pass. Defensively, he chipped in one tackle and one interception. Offensively, Angulo was dispossessed a team-high four times, as the careless giveaways — often in Orlando’s defensive half — continue to pile up. Orlando clearly needs more from the left wing, who was replaced in the 66th minute by McGuire, with Oscar Pareja pushing Ojeda to the left and playing Luis Muriel as the No. 10.
MF, Martin Ojeda, 7 — Ojeda did not allow another Lion to even remotely consider taking the penalty as he quickly stood over the spot, ball in hand, and then calmly converted the PK to pull Orlando level. Ojeda has now tied his goals total (four) from the 2024 season in only the sixth game of the year. Ojeda touched the ball 56 times and passed at a 90.5% rate while providing one key pass and four accurate long balls out of five attempts. Ojeda could have stood to improve his crossing, as he was only accurate on one of his five attempts. Offensively, Ojeda took three shots (tied with Freeman for the most on the team) but put just one on target (the penalty that he converted). He badly scuffed his first shot and his second was just off target in the first half. Defensively, he didn’t contribute a meaningful statistic, which was surprising, and it kept him just a rung below Atuesta when it came to Man of the Match honors.
MF, Marco Pasalic, 6.5 — Pasalic showcased several individual moments of brillance in the first half when the game was moving quickly end to end. Unfortunately for the Croatian winger, those moments failed to result in a change to the scoreboard. He touched the ball 39 times and completed 81.5% of his passes, including all four of his long balls. Defensively, like Ojeda, Pasalic did not record a meaningful statistic. Despite not scoring against the Galaxy, Pasalic continues to flash his skill with the ball and has been one of the main driving forces behind the strong offensive start to the season. He was replaced by Dagur Dan Thorhallsson in the 82nd minute.
F, Luis Muriel, 7 — Did Muriel score or did John McCarthy botch the play? Both, but who cares? Muriel’s long-distance free kick in the 90th minute found the back of the net, and the placement of the shot contributed to McCarthy’s mistake, as the Colombian sealed the victory and three important road points for Orlando City. A play reminisent of when fellow Designated Player Ojeda hit the equalizer from practically midfield against Charlotte FC back in 2023, Muriel stepped up to a free kick well outside the box and sent a shot towards the top left corner of the net. The goal capped a well-rounded performance for Muriel, who continues to play his best soccer in an Orlando City kit. Muriel finished with 37 touches and completed 88% of his passes, including a key pass. Offensively, he registered two shots with the one that mattered being on target. His other shot was a laser through traffic that barely missed just outside the left post on a set piece. Defensively, the striker contributed a tackle. Kyle Smith replaced him in the third minute of stoppage time.
Substitutes
D, David Brekalo (66’), 7 — I thought Brekalo put in some of his best minutes of the year as he entered in the 66th minute for Santos. It was an unexpected substitution, as Brekalo is a central defender. Regardless, the Slovenian played strong and sound defense, snuffing out multiple attacking runs by Pec. He racked up three tackles and three clearances on defense and put in several eye-opening efforts in the attack as well, as Orlando looked to get back into the match. He completed 90.9% of his passes, and while he did not record a shot, he was quite active around the box and made multiple runs off of his attacking counterparts. Brekalo at left back might be something to keep an eye on, as Pareja has been looking for someone to play consistently well there early in the season. Time will tell.
F, Duncan McGuire (66’), 6.5 — McGuire secured his longest stint since his off-season shoulder surgery and looked agressive over the final moments of the match. He opens up the field in a way Muriel is physically not able to at this point in his career, as the American got in behind the back line multiple times and pulled it out of shape for his teammates to exploit. He recorded three shots, which were all off target, but it is only a matter of time before the forward finds the back of the net. He completed 80% of his five passes and was credited with a key pass.
MF, Dagur Dan Thorhallsson (82′), N/A — Thorhallsson came on in relief of Pasalic and did well over the final moments of the match. The insertion of Brekalo, McGuire, and then Thorhallsson allowed Orlando to be the more dangerous side over the last 20 plus minutes of game time. He completed 83.3% of his passes and was credited with two key passes. Defensively, the product of Iceland added two clearances, and he did well to track back and help Freeman keep Paintsil bottled up.
D, Kyle Smith (93′), N/A — Smith came in following the long-distance goal by Muriel to help see out the victory.
MF, Joran Gerbet (93′), N/A — Like Smith, Gerbet was inserted to help see out the road win in stoppage time but also came into the match for Atuesta who was on a yellow card.
That’s how I saw the individual performances in Orlando City’s come-from-behind win over the Galaxy. Let us know how you saw the game in the comments below, and don’t forget to vote for your Man of the Match.
Lion Links
Lion Links: 3/31/25
Lions and Pride win, NWSL weekend recap, FA Cup quarterfinals, and more.

Hello, Mane Landers! I hope all is well with you down in Florida. I’ve been very busy at work but will attend the Chicago Cubs’ home opener at Wrigley Field later this week. Our Lions and Pride won while OCB was off this weekend. We’ve got plenty to cover today, so let’s get to the links.
Orlando City Beats LA Galaxy on the Road
On Saturday, Orlando City fought back from a 1-0 deficit, scoring two goals in the second half to defeat the LA Galaxy 2-1 at Dignity Health Sports Park. The Galaxy struck early in the first half to jump on top. In the second half, the Lions were awarded a penalty kick after Eduard Atuesta was taken down in the box, and Martin Ojeda buried the spot kick to tie the match at one. In the 90th minute, Luis Muriel scored the winning goal on a long-range free kick to complete the comeback. Orlando is on a three-match unbeaten streak and beat the LA Galaxy for the third consecutive time. Orlando City’s next match will be on the road Saturday against the Philadelphia Union at Subaru Park.
Orlando Pride Defeat San Diego Wave at Home
The Orlando Pride defeated the San Diego Wave 2-1 Saturday afternoon at Inter&Co Stadium and extended their win streak to three matches to start the season. After a scoreless first half, Haley McCutcheon scored to give Orlando the lead. The Wave equalized before Marta converted a penalty kick goal to seal the win for Orlando. The Pride are off to a great start this season, outscoring their opponents 10-1, and are atop the NWSL standings ahead of the Kansas City Current on goal difference. The Pride are off this weekend due to the international break but will be on the road in their next match against the Seattle Reign on April 12.
NWSL Weekend Recap
The National Women’s Soccer League’s third week of matches is in the books. On Friday, the Houston Dash and NJ/NY Gotham FC match ended in a scoreless draw. The Washington Spirit defeated Bay FC 2-0, with Ashley Hatch scoring both goals. On Saturday, the Kansas City Current defeated the Utah Royals 3-0, while the Portland Thorns and North Carolina Courage match ended in a scoreless draw. On Sunday, the Chicago Stars fell 1-0 to Racing Louisville and remain winless, while Angel City FC edged the Seattle Reign 2-1 to secure its first win of the season.
FA Cup Quarterfinals Recap
The FA Cup quarterfinals wrapped up with thrilling drama as four clubs booked a spot in the semifinals. Crystal Palace cruised to a 3-0 victory against Fulham, while Nottingham Forest edged Brighton 4-3 on penalties after a scoreless draw to advance. Aston Villa dominated Preston North End as Marcus Rashford scored twice to seal a 3-0 win, while Manchester City edged Bournemouth 2-1. The FA Cup semifinals are set for April 26 as Crystal Palace faces Aston Villa while Nottingham Forest will take on Manchester City.
Free Kicks
- Orlando City GM Luiz Muzzi provided some insight in an ESPN.com article on player transfers and highlighted the importance of building connections with different clubs to facilitate transfers.
- Former Lion Benji Michel is going to play for HJK Helsinki.
- Antoine Griezmann is reportedly staying at Atletico Madrid next season despite being linked to a potential move to join LAFC in MLS.
- RB Leipzig has fired manager Marco Rose, as the club is sixth in the Bundesliga table and has appointed Zsolt Low as interim manager until the end of the season.
- David Blitzer is reportedly close to selling his majority ownership stake in the Utah Royals and Real Salt Lake after owning both clubs since 2022.
- Sports Illustrated released its list of MLS Coaches on the hot seat after poor starts, mentioning Sporting Kansas City’s Peter Vermes, the LA Galaxy’s Greg Vanney, and the New England Revolution’s Caleb Porter.
- FIFA is reportedly considering having a one-game playoff between LAFC and Club America, with the winner replacing Club Leon in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
- That will do it for me today, Mane Landers. Enjoy your Monday, and I’ll see you next time.
-
Orlando City1 week ago
Orlando City vs. D.C. United: Final Score 4-1 as Lions Blast D.C. at Home
-
Orlando Pride1 week ago
Orlando Pride vs. NJ/NY Gotham FC: Final Score 2-0 As Pride Take Three Points Away From Home
-
Orlando City1 week ago
Orlando City vs. D.C. United: Preview, How to Watch, TV Info, Live Stream, Lineups, Match Thread, and More
-
Orlando City3 days ago
Orlando City vs. LA Galaxy: Final Score 2-1 as Cardiac Cats Score Late to Earn First Road Win
-
Orlando City1 week ago
Orlando City vs. D.C. United: Player Grades and Man of the Match
-
Orlando City5 days ago
Orlando City’s Offense Looks Different With Marco Pašalić on the Right
-
Orlando City1 week ago
Orlando City vs. D.C. United: Five Takeaways
-
Orlando Pride3 days ago
Orlando Pride vs. San Diego Wave FC: Final Score 2-1 as Pride Win Third Straight